We have discovered that between April 17 and April 19, 2011, certain PlayStation Network and Qriocity service user account information was compromised in connection with an illegal and unauthorized intrusion into our network," Patrick Seybold, senior director of corporate communications for Sony Computer Entertainment of America, wrote on the official Playstation Blog today.

There is no evidence that credit card data was taken, Seybold writes, but they company cannot rule out that possibility.

" If you have provided your credit card data through PlayStation Network or Qriocity, out of an abundance of caution we are advising you that your credit card number (excluding security code) and expiration date may have been obtained," he wrote.

Sony is encouraging users to be especially aware of potential phishing scams from people using email, phone calls and mail to try and extract more personal or sensitive information from you. Sony also is strongly recommending that you change you password once you're able to log back into the Playstation Network.

"To protect against possible identity theft or other financial loss, we encourage you to remain vigilant, to review your account statements and to monitor your credit reports," Seybold wrote

Sony has been coy up to this point, though typical of most companies. Companies are always afraid to admit things like credit card breaches until instances of complaints about fraudulent charges start creeping up.

This has the potential of a MASSIVE security breach that could really do damage to Sony.

I prefer the 360 so I don't own a PS3 but if I did use my credit card on PSN network I would take the following safe guards today!

1) Cancel my existing card today.2) Change email password that is tied to PSN account3) Call Sony support and inquire how to deal with changing the ID/Password - can you do anything to the account at this moment while the service is offline?4) Keep an eye out for any phishing attempts through email.5) Get a 360 and wait for Gears 3.

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Iím armed and Iím drinking. You donít want to listen to advice from me, amigo.

If Sony is admitting that they are going to be sending out emails about this, be wary of phishing attempts as this would be a perfect opportunity for the hackers (since Sony has admitted they have your email address) to take advantage of. Companies will never ask for things like account details or "verifying account" through personal information, passwords, CC numbers unsolicited through email.

_________________________
Iím armed and Iím drinking. You donít want to listen to advice from me, amigo.

Well, if you use a common password tied for things like your PSN account, email and gosh knows what else people do like banking/paypal etc I wouldn't be worried about playing Killzone but changing passwords.

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Iím armed and Iím drinking. You donít want to listen to advice from me, amigo.